About the NZDF Deductive Reasoning Test
Deductive Reasoning is an aptitude that demonstrates how you can make a deduction from general ideas that are considered to be true, and reach a logical conclusion. This logical thinking is not necessarily something that can be learned, but is an inherent skill that is important in any branch of the military.
The NZDF Deductive Reasoning Test is published by SHL, which is a multinational pre-employment screening test publisher. You will sit this assessment as a part of the first online aptitude test that you will take, alongside Numerical Ability and Inductive Reasoning.
The Format of the NZDF Deductive Reasoning Test
The NZDF Deductive Reasoning assessment consists of 18 questions that need to be completed in 17-25 minutes, depending on the role you have applied for.
In each question, you will be presented with two statements, giving some information about a particular object or subject. Following this are multiple choice answers, and you must follow the logic in the statements to find the correct answer.
To answer these questions correctly, you do not need any specific knowledge. All the information you need to answer the question correctly is provided in the statements - and in fact, any previous knowledge you might have about the subject should be disregarded as you must take the statements as true.
How is the NZDF Deductive Reasoning Test Scored?
Like all SHL assessments, the raw score (the number of correct answers) is not used by the recruiters - instead, your score will be graded against the performance of other applicants and candidates who are already in the role that you have applied for.
You do not lose marks for incorrect answers, or for questions not answered. Your raw score is based on how many questions you got right - which means that it is beneficial to try and answer as many questions as you can, even if this means a guess.
Your raw score will be compared against a norm group, and this will present your score as a percentile. If you score in the 67th percentile, this means that you will have scored better on the assessment than 66% of the people in the norm group.
There are no published pass or fail scores on the Deductive Reasoning test, but you should work to get the highest score possible because your marks need to beat the results of other candidates, too.
How to Prepare for the NZDF Deductive Reasoning Test
Deductive reasoning sounds like a difficult aptitude, but the assessment itself is simple in content. All you need to do is follow the logic of the statements to find the right answers.
We use logic in everyday life, even if we do not actively think about it. The logical conclusion from our knowledge that fire can burn is that we shouldn't put our hands in it.
To give yourself the best chance at success in this part of the aptitude assessment, practice will be your secret weapon. There are practice tests available on the SHL website that are designed to be the same as the real test in terms of layout and structure as well as the difficulty of the content.
When you are taking the practice tests, you will get the most out of the experience if you work under test conditions. This means setting a timer, if there isn't one on the test, and practice somewhere where you will not be disturbed.
During the practice assessments, you can use the results to see if there are any parts of the assessment that you need to work on.
As you approach the day of the test, make sure that you have had enough sleep, have eaten plenty and are well hydrated to give yourself the best opportunity to score well.
Check out our full New Zealand Defence Force Aptitude Tests page here.
